Coastal and Inland News

Stena Line has ordered two hybrid E-Flexer RoPax ferries from China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyard for delivery in 2030, with the vessels intended for its Gothenburg-Frederikshavn route between Sweden and Denmark.Each 214.5-metre vessel will accommodate 1,500 passengers and provide 2,750 lane metres of freight capacity across three vehicle decks, comprising one deck for passenger vehicles and two for freight.The day ferries will use hybrid propulsion allowing operation on…

"Disruptions and strong growth in head-haul trades continue to support the container shipping market in 2026, but accelerating fleet growth could weaken the supply/demand balance in 2027,” says Niels Rasmussen, Chief Shipping Analyst at BIMCO.BIMCO continues to forecast two scenarios. The “SoH Closed” scenario assumes that the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed throughout 2026 and 2027, while the “SoH Open” scenario assumes normal transit conditions throughout 2027. In both scenarios…

Anchor QEA Principal Walter Dinicola, PE, F.ASCE, was named president of the Western Dredging Association (WEDA) at the organization’s 2026 Dredging Summit & Expo in Montreal.Anchor QEA’s national leader for Ports and Waterfront, Dinicola brings more than three decades of experience in dredging, ports and harbors, waterfront infrastructure, dredged material management and beneficial use to the role. He has been on WEDA’s executive board for 10 years and was most recently the organization’s…

"Caribbean Basin have year-to-date increased by 234 million barrels year-on-year according to data from Signal Ocean. This is equal to an additional 880k barrels per day, and a 45% jump compared to 2025,“ says Niels Rasmussen, Chief Shipping Analyst at BIMCO.Adjusting for an increase in barrels transhipped via the Bahamas, we estimate that exports from the Caribbean Basin so far have added 210 million new crude oil and heavy product barrels. The increase equals 790k barrels per day.

The Sault Historic Sites, Captain John P. Wellington Great Lakes Marine Hall of Fame, recognized the significant contributions of James H.I. Weakley, President of the Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA) on Friday, September 11th in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan.The award is given every other year alternating between U.S. and Canadian nominees. The complete list of previous awardees can be found here.Jim Weakley has served as LCA President for almost 25 years leading the U.S.-flagged fleet on the Great Lakes through advocacy, Congressional engagement, and public awareness.

EST-Floattech has been contracted by Dutch system integrator Van Tiem Elektro to supply its Octopus High Energy battery systems for a new series of 15 river cruise vessels.The vessels are being outfitted at De Gerlien van Tiem in Druten, and at Vahali Shipyards in Ghent, for a group of cruise operators, including AmaWaterways and Uniworld, sailing on the Danube and the Black Sea region. Each vessel will be equipped with 650 kWh of battery capacity, bringing the total order to 9.7 MWh…

Iron ore shipments on the Great Lakes totaled 5.1 million tons in August, a 2 percent increase compared to 2025. Shipments were 5.1 percent below the month’s 5-year average.Year-to-date, the iron ore trade rose 3% to 27.5 million tons.Through August, iron shipments are below their 5-year average by 5.2 percent.Great Lakes Iron Ore Shipments: August 2021-2026 and 5-Year AverageIncludes Transshipments to Quebec City for Shipment Overseas(net tons) AveragePort2021202220232024202520262021-2025Duluth…

Iron ore shipments on the Great Lakes totaled 5.1 million tons in August, a 2 percent increase compared to 2025. Shipments were 5.1 percent below the month’s 5-year average.Year-to-date, the iron ore trade rose 3% to 27.5 million tons.Through August, iron shipments are below their 5-year average by 5.2 percent.Great Lakes Iron Ore Shipments: August 2021-2026 and 5-Year AverageIncludes Transshipments to Quebec City for Shipment Overseas(net tons) AveragePort2021202220232024202520262021-2025Duluth, MN1,132,118783,9571,053,368811,141847,568740,536925,630Superior, WI1,248,8261,606,7701,484,5061,315,8581,082,426813,5811,347,677Two Harbors…

ABB has been selected as the power, propulsion and automation technology partner for two new Ro-Pax ferries, to be named Kupe and Cook, which form part of Cook Strait Ferry Replacement Programme. ABB will supply the integrated systems required to ensure the reliability, efficiency and environmental performance of the two ferries. To be built by Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) shipyard, the ferries will be delivered to New Zealand Government entity Ferry Holdings Limited in 2029.The 200-meter long…

On September 1, Brittany Ferries stopped transporting live farm animals including unweaned calves.The move marks another milestone in a campaign by NGOs to end long-distance live transport and ensure animal welfare legislation is effectively enforced. It has been led by a partnership of animal welfare protection groups including: Ethical Farming Ireland, Compassion in World Farming, Eurogroup for Animals, Eyes on Animals, FOUR PAWS, L214, Southampton Animal Action and Welfarm.The…

Following receipt of the relevant regulatory clearances, NYK has completed the acquisition of a 50% stake in Avenir LNG Limited. The stake was acquired from Stolt-Nielsen Gas Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Stolt-Nielsen Limited (SNI), which previously held 100% ownership of Avenir LNG.With the completion of the transaction, NYK and SNI have established a joint ownership and operating structure for Avenir LNG, a leading operator in the LNG bunkering sector with one of the world's largest fleets of LNG bunker vessels.The joint venture will pursue opportunities in LNG and bio-LNG bunkering…

Cheniere Energy, Inc. has announced the achievement of two significant milestones: the substantial completion of the Corpus Christi Liquefaction Stage 3 Project (CCL Stage 3) in Texas, and the production and export of its 5,000th cargo of LNG from its U.S. Gulf Coast operations. Cheniere has reached the 5,000th cargo milestone faster than any other LNG producer worldwide.CCL Stage 3 achieved substantial completion on August 28, when Bechtel Energy, Cheniere’s engineering, procurement and construction contractor…

Tidewater Inc. has announced the completion of its acquisition of Wilson, Sons Ultratug Participações S.A. and its affiliate Atlantic Offshore Services S.A. (collectively: WSUT), effective August 31, 2026.Quintin Kneen, Tidewater’s President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are pleased to announce the closing of the WSUT acquisition, and we are excited to welcome our new employees to Tidewater. The WSUT fleet of 22 PSVs is an excellent complement to the Tidewater fleet and further expands our leading global market position in OSVs.

The queue of vessels waiting to enter the Danube en route to Ukraine's river ports has grown to about 80 over the past five days, although the number of ships being allowed through the route is also gradually increasing, a shipper said on Monday.Russian attacks have effectively blocked Ukraine's main Black Sea ports, which once handled 90% of the country's grain exports, forcing Kyiv to divert cargo through Danube river ports with far lower capacity.Shipping agencies last week reported a growing backlog at the entrance to the Sulina Canal…

The queue of vessels waiting to enter the Danube en route to Ukraine's river ports has grown to about 80 over the past five days, although the number of ships being allowed through the route is also gradually increasing, a shipper said on Monday.Russian attacks have effectively blocked Ukraine's main Black Sea ports, which once handled 90% of the country's grain exports, forcing Kyiv to divert cargo through Danube river ports with far lower capacity.Shipping agencies last week reported a growing backlog at the entrance to the Sulina Canal, the only Danube channel deep enough for vessels travelling to Ukraine's ports of Reni and Izmail from the Black Sea.Delays have been attributed to a shortage of pilots and the need to prioritise certain cargoes…

Contecon Manzanillo S.A. de C.V. (CMSA), International Container Terminal Services, Inc.'s (ICTSI) Mexican unit, has paved the way for the Port of Manzanillo to accommodate ultra large container vessels after receiving the go-ahead to handle ships with drafts of up to 15.5 meters. CMSA is now the only terminal operator at the Port of Manzanillo with this capability and is now able to serve vessels up to 400 meters long, including ultra large container vessels capable of carrying up to 24…

Contecon Manzanillo S.A. de C.V. (CMSA), International Container Terminal Services, Inc.'s (ICTSI) Mexican unit, has paved the way for the Port of Manzanillo to accommodate ultra large container vessels after receiving the go-ahead to handle ships with drafts of up to 15.5 meters. CMSA is now the only terminal operator at the Port of Manzanillo with this capability and is now able to serve vessels up to 400 meters long, including ultra large container vessels capable of carrying up to 24,000 TEUs.“This authorization reflects the investments we have made to strengthen the terminal,” said José Antonio Contreras, CMSA CEO. “It also marks an important step toward our goal of achieving a 17-meter operational draft at our new berths…

The American Great Lakes Ports Association has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Great Lakes Alliance of Shipyards to advance shared priorities in domestic shipbuilding and commerce.The MoU marks the first formal partnership between the U.S. Great Lakes port and shipyard communities. By connecting public port authorities with leading American shipyards, the organizations will work more closely to expand the region’s industrial capacity, pursue new cargo and export opportunities…

The American Great Lakes Ports Association has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Great Lakes Alliance of Shipyards to advance shared priorities in domestic shipbuilding and commerce.The MoU marks the first formal partnership between the U.S. Great Lakes port and shipyard communities. By connecting public port authorities with leading American shipyards, the organizations will work more closely to expand the region’s industrial capacity, pursue new cargo and export opportunities, develop the next generation of skilled maritime workers, and advance national priorities to restore American shipbuilding and strengthen the maritime industrial base.The partnership also recognizes the Great Lakes-St.

The American Great Lakes Ports Association has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Great Lakes Alliance of Shipyards to advance shared priorities in domestic shipbuilding and commerce.The MoU marks the first formal partnership between the U.S. Great Lakes port and shipyard communities. By connecting public port authorities with leading American shipyards, the organizations will work more closely to expand the region’s industrial capacity, pursue new cargo and export opportunities, develop the next generation of skilled maritime workers, and advance national priorities to restore American shipbuilding and strengthen the maritime industrial base.The partnership also recognizes the Great Lakes-St.

The Iran war's redrawing of the global trade map is forcing Gulf nations to retool their investment play book, ploughing capital into infrastructure, from energy pipelines to ports, to weather the fallout from the conflict.The war has highlighted the Gulf's overreliance on the Strait of Hormuz, previously a chokepoint for 20% of global oil flows but also subject for decades to Iranian threats of disruption.With the strait virtually blocked for much of the past six months, a burst…

The Iran war's redrawing of the global trade map is forcing Gulf nations to retool their investment play book, ploughing capital into infrastructure, from energy pipelines to ports, to weather the fallout from the conflict.The war has highlighted the Gulf's overreliance on the Strait of Hormuz, previously a chokepoint for 20% of global oil flows but also subject for decades to Iranian threats of disruption.With the strait virtually blocked for much of the past six months, a burst of billions of dollars of investment commitments has emerged as Gulf energy exporters try to future-proof their economies now facing a severe slowdown.Trade is being redirected to Saudi ports on the Red Sea and the United Arab Emirates' eastern ports but capacity is smaller.

SHIPPINGInsight confirmed that Captain Stephen Carmel, U.S. Maritime Administrator, will deliver the opening keynote address at SHIPPINGInsight’s PROJECT 2027: Catalyzing the U.S. Maritime Industry into Action, powered by AMIC (American Maritime Industrial Coalition), to be held October 13, 2026, in Houston, Texas. His remarks, entitled “State of Play for U.S. Maritime,” will assess the current condition of the nation’s maritime capabilities and outline priorities for the industry going forward.The address comes as federal agencies…

Sempra Energy's unit Port Arthur LNG has started the federal permitting process for a major expansion of its liquefied natural gas export operations in Southeast Texas, according to a regulatory filing made on Wednesday.The proposed Port Arthur LNG North Project would add four liquefaction trains capable of producing up to 27 million metric tons per annum (mtpa) of LNG, significantly expanding the company's export footprint on the U.S. Gulf Coast, the filing showed.According to the filing, each train would be capable of producing up to 6.73 mtpa of LNG under optimal conditions.

Up to 70 vessels are waiting near the Danube's Sulina Canal for access to Ukrainian ports to load grain for export, traders and analysts said on Wednesday, with a shortage of pilots and priority given to other cargoes creating long delays.After Russian attacks effectively blocked Ukraine's Black Sea ports, which had handled 90% of the country's grain exports, some shipments were rerouted through Danube river ports, which have much lower capacity.Grain cargoes are competing for access with higher-priority shipments such as fuel, slowing exports.

McDonough Marine Service announced the addition of the MARMAC 3080, a 300' x 80' x 16' ABS Load Line deck barge, to its growing fleet of marine equipment available for charter. The MARMAC 3080 will call Amelia, Louisiana and will be ready to service the industry from this location going forward.As a barge rental company, McDonough Marine Service offers one of the largest fleets of deck barges available for charter, providing customers with the flexibility to secure the right equipment…

The Russian Defence Ministry said on Tuesday that its forces had struck three cargo vessels carrying supplies for the Ukrainian military and a tanker at the Black Sea port of Pivdennyi.The ministry also said it had hit another cargo vessel in the nearby port of Odesa, as well as port infrastructure in Pivdennyi and Odesa and fuel storage facilities at the port of Chornomorsk.Reuters could not independently verify the ministry's claims.(Reporting by Reuters)

Marine fuel buyers entered 2026 facing a perfect storm, suffering some of the highest bunker prices ever experienced, paired with a sharp and concerning decline in fuel quality. Across the traditional marine fossil fuel supply chain, VPS has seen a marked rise in fuel quality issues, with the Middle East conflict playing a major role in driving both price volatility and quality deterioration. For ship owners/operators, the message is clear, today’s fuel market is not only more expensive, it is also becoming more complex and unpredictable, with a higher degree of operational risk.

Venezuela's dilapidated oil port terminals are imposing a de facto export cap on the country's resurgent crude production, with tankers having to wait up to 30 days to load because of ageing infrastructure, power outages and quality issues, according to shipping data, sources and documents.The delays are putting roadblocks on a U.S. plan to quickly boost Venezuela's oil exports following a flagship pact with global trading houses. The fight for infrastructure looks likely to intensify…

Trade activity across the Houston Ship Channel region remained strong, while Port Houston gained momentum with increases in imports, empties and a modest decline in exports.“Our region remains resilient through evolving global trade conditions. Vessel activity in the nation’s busiest waterway is up, and we continue to see steady cargo movement that helps power industries like energy, manufacturing and retail, crucial to our national economy,” said Charlie Jenkins, CEO of Port Houston.Key takeaways:The Houston Ship Channel region’s total trade by tonnage increased 16% year to date through June…

The Panama Canal Authority will cap daily transits as of early September as it gears up for a longer-than-usual El Niño season expected to reduce water levels, it said on Thursday, walking back a previous pledge to not limit vessel passage.Under the new measures, the canal will limit daily transits as of September 4 to 34 vessels, and reduce the number to 32 as of September 15.The canal had registered an average of 35 daily transits through June 2026, corresponding to vessel demand…

The two-day maritime conference will take place at Copenhagen’s AC Bella Sky Convention Center on 23-24 February 2027.World Maritime Forum 2027 will bring the international maritime community back to Copenhagen for a two-day event at the AC Bella Sky Convention Center. Organised by IGGS Group, the forum is intended for shipowners, ship managers, shipbuilders, ports, authorities, maritime suppliers and service providers. It will take place as the industry considers increasingly important decisions around fleet investment…

Insufficient planning and preparation and inadequate risk controls contributed to the grounding of a tug in Port Adelaide, an ATSB investigation has identified.On June 10, 2025, the tug Sea Pelican was in combination with the barge Rocksea, to maneuver out of the North Arm waterway and into the Port Adelaide River, in South Australia.During the turn, the tug was maneuvered wide and contacted a sandbar.The tug’s shell plating was holed, and water began to enter the engine room. Bilge pumping commenced, and the tug was slipped the following day for repairs.

Insufficient planning and preparation and inadequate risk controls contributed to the grounding of a tug in Port Adelaide, an ATSB investigation has identified.On June 10, 2025, the tug Sea Pelican was in combination with the barge Rocksea, to maneuver out of the North Arm waterway and into the Port Adelaide River, in South Australia.During the turn, the tug was maneuvered wide and contacted a sandbar.The tug’s shell plating was holed, and water began to enter the engine room. Bilge pumping commenced, and the tug was slipped the following day for repairs. No injuries were reported.The ATSB’s investigation into the serious incident identified…

Port terminal lobby groups in Brazil are urging government officials to allow dredging on the Tapajos River, a major waterway for grain exports that cuts through the Amazon rainforest, fearing a severe El Niño could leave one of the country's main export routes too shallow for barges.Global trading firms, such as Bunge, Cargill, and Louis Dreyfus, move roughly 15 million metric tons of grains annually along the Tapajos, industry data shows. Brazil is the world's largest soybean…

Water levels on the Rhine River, one of Europe's busiest shipping arteries, have slightly risen this week, official data showed on Wednesday, but remain near record lows, hampering transport and production.The water level gauge at the chokepoint of Kaub near the city of Koblenz rose to 14cm (5.5 inches) on Wednesday morning, inland navigation agency WSV data showed, after 5cm earlier this week.The river is about one metre deeper than the gauge, which has been traditionally used as an indicator to measure local levels.As a rule of thumb, if the Kaub gauge falls below 78cm for 30 straight days,

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy was joined by Maritime Administrator (MARAD) Stephen M. Carmel, U.S. Representative Michael Cloud (TX-27) and leaders from Texas’ Port of Corpus Christi to kick off a new partnership focused on small modular reactor (SMR) technology for maritime applications. By testing the latest innovations in SMRs, the Department can help revitalize U.S. shipbuilding, cut fuel costs, and restore America’s maritime dominance.This is the second agreement the Department has signed since Secretary Duffy launched the SMR initiative in May.

Crowley, a provider of logistics, marine and energy solutions, announced a new weekly container service connecting Port Houston to Santo Tomás de Castilla, Guatemala, and Puerto Cortés, Honduras, two of Central America’s largest and fastest-growing trade gateways.The Gulf-Central America Express Service makes its first Houston call on Sept. 10 with Thursday departures. Crowley’s vessels will carry dry and refrigerated containers that safely transport a range of fresh produce, apparel, industrial products and consumer goods from sea to land.

The Global Ro-Ro Community (GRC)*1, whose participants include Ro-Ro carriers and other stakeholders, and which covers approximately 80% of the transport capacity of the global car carrier fleet*2, has established the GRC Council (GRCC), a body responsible for the operation of the GRC. Since the establishment of the GRC, ClassNK has participated as an independent verifier. In connection with the establishment of the GRCC, ClassNK has also contributed to the development of its…

SOHAR Port and Freezone in Oman reported a sharp increase in cargo activity during the first half of 2026, handling 52 million metric tons, up 52% compared with the same period last year.Container throughput increased 40% to 545,000 TEUs, primarily on higher transshipment volumes, while breakbulk cargo nearly doubled to 1.24 million metric tons. Ship-to-ship cargo handling reached 24.38 million metric tons.Despite a moderation in dry bulk volumes, SOHAR recorded 1,555 vessel calls…

Portchain and X-Press Feeders have announced a partnership to bring digital solutions to the feeder market through the deployment of Portchain Connect.The project will optimize berth alignment through real-time data exchange, enhancing just-in-time (JIT) arrivals and improving overall operational efficiency. By leveraging Portchain's digital tools, X-Press Feeders aims to enhance planning accuracy and operational responsiveness, supporting lower fuel consumption and associated…

The Port of Los Angeles, the nation's busiest seaport, notched its second-highest volume for July, boosted by resilient demand for consumer goods and equipment for manufacturing and data center construction, its executive director said on Tuesday.That demand should support another strong result for August, executive director Gene Seroka said.Ocean container imports are an early gauge of U.S. economic activity and are closely watched by analysts and traders.The Port of Los Angeles processed 960…

J.F. Brennan Company (Brennan) has acquired the marine operations of Budrovich Contracting Co., Inc., establishing a permanent presence in St. Louis and building on its longstanding relationships in the region.The acquisition builds on a seven-year relationship between Brennan and Budrovich’s Marine Operations team. During that time, the companies have worked together in the region, developing a strong understanding of the needs of local marine and industrial facilities.With the acquisition…

Aqua superPower, a provider of fast-charging marine infrastructure, and Hyke, developer of electric passenger ferries, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to help create a blueprint for electrified urban ferry networks that can unlock the potential of underutilized waterways as sustainable transport corridors.As cities worldwide face increasing pressure from congestion, emissions and constrained transport infrastructure, waterways represent a largely untapped opportunity to move people efficiently and sustainably.